Automatic pin spotter control mechanism



Dec. 11, 1956 M. PATTERSON lET AL 2,773,689

AUTOMATIC PIN SPOTTER CONTROL MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 2 1950 rllln...

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AUTOMATIC PIN SPOTTER CONTROL MECHANISM Filed June 2, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 E /Qo ,//g E T 2Q@ y *192 gy z 297 MOR HEAD PATTERSON WILLIAM C. BROEKHUYSEN BY Dec. 11, 1956 M. PATTERSON ET AL 2,773,689

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- INVENTOR MOREHEAD PA U3 WILLIAM C. BROEKHUYSEN *www ATTORNEY NWN e N www www www @www M. PATTERSON ET AL 2,773,689 AUTOMATIC PIN SPOTTER CONTROL MECHANISM Dec. 11, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed June 2, 1950 za o. v

Dec. 1l, 1956 M. PATTERSON ET AL 2,773,689

AUTOMATIC .PIN SPOTTER CONTROL MECHANISM Filed June 2, 1950 5 Sheets-Sh'eet 5 FIG. 5

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ATroRNEY United States PatentN O 'f' AUTOMATIC PIN SPOTTER CONTROL lWECHANISM Morehead Patterson, New York, and William C. Broekhuysen, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignors to American Ma'- ghine & Foundry Company, a` corporation of New ersey Application June 2, 1950, Serial No. 165,794 Claims. (Cl. 273-43) This invention relates to a machine for performing `the functions of a pin boy on a bowling alley` 'and more particularly to an improvedvmachine of. this type' wherein the motions of the machine have been simplified in such` a way as to veffect an elimination of unnecessary wear and tear on the machineand on the bowling pins.

In automatic pinsetting machines developedhereto-- foreY they machine was designed-to go through apredetermined cycle after the first ball has been thrownto detect standing pins and sweep fallen pins from the alley, even though the first ball was a gutter ball or foul ball which did not knock down any of the pins. Themaehine wouldalso go through a sweeping operation aftera second ball was thrown even though the second ball was also av gutter. ball or foulball which did not knock down anyl cfg-the bowling pins;` These routines in the machineywhile-y they' make for accuracy and relability, also. cause' undef.

sirable wear and tear on the machine and pins.

It is `the purpose of ourinvention to overcome-these disadvantages of the prior art by simplifying the operation.

of such a machine by designing the machine so thatwhen a, gutter ballisthrown on thefiirst ball, or where onlyy the No; 7' or No. lO'pin-is knocked down, t-he only action, by

the machine will. be to return the bowling balli-tothe;`

player.

A further object' of the invention is to design an automatic pin spottingrand respotting. machine s0 that if the first f andrsecond balls` are both gutter balls, the' pin setting machine,will return' the ball `to the, front ofthe alley and set itself-directly into readiness for the-throwing ofga firstl ball without placing a new setof pins on -lthe alley.I

Another advantage ofl'our invention isl that ifonlyth'e` seventhopr-tenth pinV in a ten pin` game of bowling is` knockeddoyvn by a first ballwhich is nota foul, Internal,v

chinewill, after its detecting operation omit thesWeepin'g4 operationsV and go into readiness` for the throwing Eof the second ball.

It is an object of this inventionto provide an automatic pin-setting andresetting machine which will hayea niinimum of motion when allpins remain standin'gaftjeri'thel second ball`is thrown asl might occur where the firstball is either a gutter. ball orfoul.'

It'is afurther object of'thisY invention to put anaillto# maticpin setting machine into secondball cycle' without,

a sweeping operation where all a first ball foul.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of thisspecitication, like characters of reference have'fb'een applied to corresponding parts throughout the views 'which' make ,upthe drawings.

pins remain standing after Fig. l'isk a side elevation ofa bowling fpinlsetting` ma# 2,773,689 Patented nee. 1r, rase Fig.V 5 isa diagrammatic development of the electrical relay control cams;

Fig.` 6. is a side elevation of one of the spotting cups on the pin.setting.table,- with parts broken away to illustrate a'suitalle electrical contact provided in each cup;

Fig.Y 7 is -a side elevation of one of the respotting cups carried by the pin setting table with parts broken away toshow the electrical contact provided in eachcup; and

Fig, 8j isajsectional plan view of the same taken on li-neS-Spf 1F igu-re ,7.

As mentioned heretofore, the present invention constitutes animprovement over-automatic pin spotting and respotting machines developed heretofore such for example as. that disclosed in U. S. Patent 2,559,274granted July 3,' 14951 to William C. Broekhuysen.

To illustrate the invention applicants will now describe howthelpresent invention may be readily incorporated ina machine of Athe type referred to wherein the machine is-drivenby a motor 1 (Figure 2) provided with a pulley 10jonI which; runs a belt 12 continuously driving a pulley 1,4,` mountedon a shaft 16. A worm 18 securedA to the e shaft 16 meshes with a worm gear 20 keyed to a shaft22` to whicheisattlached thesolenoidcontrolled mainv clutch K-1of- ,the machine. Clutch K1 which maybe of the well.

connected withvthe hub of algearv 24y Y looselyfmounted on shaft 22, Gear 24meshes with gear 26 (Figures 2 and 3) secured to the main cam shaft 28r known Bliss type, is

of themachine. Cam shaft 28 issupported by suitable bearings mountedon the frame of the machine.

y The constantly rotating shaft 16` carriesV a sprocket 2.9,l (Eig.Y 2,)` on which runs-a chain 3.0. driving a sprocket 32 loosely mounted on shaft 34. The hub of sprocket32 C igu'reV 1) is provided with a solenoid controlled onerevolution clutch K2 which may be of the. Bliss type whichengages or disengages sprocket' 32 from ,shaft 34, thereby controlling the drive of the pin distributingvmechanisrn of the machine.

The mechanism for thesam'e general construction as, and similar in operation t, that shown in Rundell Patent 2,3 88,707 issued Novembe'r 13,', 1945, for Bowling Pin Setter. ThisV mechanism cnsist's'of a transverse, ascending conveyor ,E which carries .upwardly pins which areremoved by apron A from',

thefpit' and discharged into chamber 3` at the rear of bumper `W anddischarges pins one by one into a rectify'-v in'gl'andf aligning conveyor extending from a point adjacent thetop or dischargeend of conveyorE 'to a de liyerypp'ointfadjacent magazine M.' Conveyor E isactuated at the proper time in the cycle of operations byka sprocket mounted on shaft chamber 3 to conveyor C which in turn delivers them to magazine or storage M. Magazine of the loading Vstaf tion'ofthe machine includes a pair of spaced rotatable.'

spirals 38CA Conveyor C consists of a positively driven belt 6`4 having its active lap spaced from and extending substantially parallel to a stationary guide member 69.

Each kspiral carries a sprocket 40 driven by a chain 42 from asprocket 44 xed to shaft 46.

Shaft 46 carries bevel gear 48" (Figure l) meshing v with bevel gear 50 mounted on loading mechanism control shaftL 34.v Chain`42 `also drives sprocket S2 mounted on" onegend of a horizontal shaft 54. The other end of the'latterhas secured thereto a bevel gear 56 (Figure 2) meshingwitli bevel gear'58 mountedy on'a verticalshaft 60. A belt 64'running onl a pulley 62 secured to the lower endof shaft 60 and pulley 63 on shaft 65 supported by bracket 67I is the driven part of yconveyor C.

Adjacentf one Aof the spirals 38l are located eleven'y loadingra'ck contacts or switches 66 (Figure 3) which` are normally open when a predetermined numberof pins P,

eleven in the illustration shown, is in the loading stationY handling and distributing pins is Vof* 34 to deliver pins from Pins P are lifted out of the magazine or loading station..

M by means of ten individual grippers 68 suspended from a supporting frame N similar in construction to that described in the above referred to Rundell Patent No. 2,388,707.

The pin setter table locking mechanism is provided for the purpose of locking the table in the spotting as well as respotting position. For this purpose integral with the gear 92 is a disk 93 provided with two slots 95 spaced 180 apart with which in either spotting or respotting position engages the nose of a spring mounted lock arm 97 which is pivoted on one of the pin setter table guide shoes 86. Lock arm 97 is provided with a control arm 99'which carries on its free end a roller 101, which when contacted and depressed by a` control finger 103 causes the nose of lock arm 97 to disengagefrom the slot 95 of disk 93. Upon release the spring mounted lock arm rides on the periphery of the control disk 93 untill aslot 95 contacts the nosel of said lock arm and a spring eliects an engagement of the latter with said disk. The control linger 103 is mounted on a short shaft 105 supported by a suitable bearing bracket attached to the frame of the machine. Shaft 105 is actuated by a lever 107 which by means of an adjustable link 109 is connected to an arm 111 mounted on a short shaft 113 to which is lalso secured a cam lever 115 which by means of a cam roller 117 engages with a suitable cam track on cam 74. l

The up and down motion of frame N and grippers 68 carried thereby is effected by the motions of a bell crank type cam lever 70 carrying an arm 71. A cam follower 72 on arm 71 runs in a suitable track in cam 74 loosely mounted on main cam shaft 28. The hub of cam 74 is provided with a suitable solenoid controlled onerevolution clutch K4, such as a well known Bliss clutch, which effects an engagement or disengagement of cam 74 from rotating main cam shaft 28. Arm 73 of lever 70 is connected by link 76 to arm 78 which imparts the vertical up and down motion to frame N and pin grippers .68. Cam lever 70 is loosely mounted on cam lever supporting shaft 80 supported at each end by suitable bearing brackets 82 secured to the frame of the machine.

Cam 74 is also provided with two additional cam tracks. .0ne of these tracks is designed to effect the turning operation of the pin setter table T at the proper time in the sequence of operations of the machine. The other cam track controls the above mentioned locking mechanism of pin setter tablle T. These cam tracks are shown in detail in copending application, Serial No. 636,737. filed December 22, 1945 by G. l. Schmidtfor Bowling Pin Setting Machine which issued as U. S. Patent 2,578,319 on December 1l, 1951. Since -they. tornino specific part of the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted. It will be evidentfrom the foregoing thattheclutching land unclutchng of cam 74 to shaft 28 dueto the operation of solenoid controlled clutch K4, controls the up and down movement of frame N, also the turning of table T and the locking mechanism therefor.

The' pin setter-resetter table T illustrated may be of thegsame general construction as that shown in Nejedly patent,.No..2,2v98,7l8 granted October 13, 1942. This tableis provided. with support members 9,0pwhichy1are mounted loosely for turning movement on hollow shaft 84. The ends of shaft 84 are secured to shoes 86 which are 'slidably supported in vertical guide channels 88 forming a part of the framework of the machine.

A gear 92 formed integrally on one of the support members 90 (Figure 2) meshes with a gear segment 94 pivotally mounted on a stud 96 secured to a bearing plate 98 attached to one of the vertical guide channels 88. Geark segment 94 is provided with an actuating arm 100 (Figure l) connected by rod 102 with one arm of 1ever'104. The other arm of lever 104 carries'a cnamY follower 106 which engages a cam trackm107a'1'li V474.. The rocking motion imparted by lever 104 to gear.

segment 94 effects a turning of the pin setter table T 180 back and forth in the direction indicated by arrow AA (Figure l). Table T carries on one side ten pin spotting cups and on the opposite side ten individually laterally ymovable respotting cups 112.

The construction of the setter cups 110 and resetting cups 112 is generally the same as that disclosed in Rundell patent, No. 2,310,996 and Schmidt patent, No. 2,283,613 with certain changes in detail. Pin grippers 114 of setter cups 110 are all identical in construction and only one'is described. As shown in Figure 6, the grippers 114 are actuated by fluid means, such as suction, which is supplied thereto by ducts 116 connecting the several pin ksetter cups 110 with a source of supply conduit in which is mounted a magnet-operated suction control valve 343 of conventional design supported on the table T. Each setter cup 110 is 'provided with a normatily closed pin actuated contact 119 (Figure 6) so that when a pin is delivered by a transfer gripper 68, the contact 119 of switch 118 is forced open. Obviously, if desired, normally open contacts could be used. In Athe illustrated embodiment, all contacts 119 of switches 118 (as shown in Fig. 4) are in multiplle and all contacts 119 of switches 118 must be opened by pins in order to operate the machine.

The respotting cups 112 on the opposite side of table T are also supplied with suction through an intercon-` nected series of conduits 120 (Figure 3) from a source of supply conduit in which is mounted a magnet operated suction control valve 339 of conventional design secured to table T. Suction valves 339 and 343 are connected to a conduit 122 (Figure 3) leading to a suitable source of suction such as a suction pump of known design (not shown).

Each respotting cup 112 is provided with a switch operating member 320. When the setter-resetter table T is lowered into pin lifting position adjacent the alley after the throwing of a ball, any standing pins on the altley will cause a closing of contacts 321, 323 (Figure 7) in the same general manner as disclosed in Nejedly Patent No. 2,298,718, -issued October 13, 1942.

All other mechanisms of the machine, such as the sweep F and associated guard G, the pin lifting pit apron A, ball cradle L, the table T, and the pin grippers 68 on frame N are actuated by means of suitable cams secured to the main cam shaft 28, as described hereinafter.

The operations of frame N and transfer grippers 68` carried thereby are resolved into two distinct motions: the back and forth movement of the grippers 68 between magazine M and pin delivery position above setter table T, and the up and down movement of the frame N and the grippers 68 for removing pins from the magazine M and for delivering the same into the spotter cups 110 on the table T. Y i

The back and forth motion of the pin grippers 68 on transfer frame N is effected by means of cam lever 124` provided with cam follower 126 engaging .a suitable cam track 127 'in cam 128 mounted onr cam shaft 28. Cam lever 124 is provided with anarm 130 to which is pivotally connected a gear rack 132 engaging with a gear 133 loosely mounted on stud l134 supported in a suitable bracketl secured to bracket 82 on the side frame. i n

Gear 133 is formed integralwtha gear 136 meshing with gear` 138 integral with sprocket 140`driving`a chain 142 running on a ysprocket 144 on shaft 146. It will be seen that the rotation of cam 128 audits coacti'on withv cam follower 126 on cam lever 124 effects the oscillation of shaft 146 rotatably mounted in `arms 78 pivotally attached to the side frames ofthe machine. Shaft 146 is provided with several driving gears of different diameters (not shown) which Vmesh withdriven gears (not shown) f xed'to shafts(not shown) carried Iby frame' N, teach mounting a pulley (not shown). When" shaftw146sistated, these driving gears cause the pulleys to revolve and causedifferential movement e along rails 265.from aligned into triangular arrangement above, and ready for delivery to, spotter cups 110. After' frame N has Abeen moved downwardly to effect the, delivery of `pins held by grippers 68 into cups 110, grippers 68` are returned to aligned arrangement adjacent magazineM where a dwell in the cam 128-positions them until in the cycle of operation of the machine a new set of pins is to be removed from the magazine and transferredto thesetter table T.

A detailed description of the structure and operation of the grippers 68 on frame N is not deemed necessary in the present case since it isdescribedV and claimed in copending application Serial No. 636,737 filedtby Gottfried I. Schmidt now U. S. Patent No. 2,578,319, granted December 11, 1951.

The movements of table T to and from the pin supporting bed of the alley for setting and/or resetting pins are effected'by means of a cam 148 which as shown is formed integrally with cam 128. Cam 148 is tracked bya follower 1'50 on lever 152, which lever is fulcrumed on shaft 80. One arm of lever 152 is pivotally connected to a rod 153 which supports a gear rack 154, meshing with a gear 156 mounted on a horizontal shaft 158 supported by suitable bearings attached to the main frame of the machine. Ony each end of shaft 158` is secured a pulley 160 to each` of which is attached one end of a cable 162, the other end of each cable being secured to one of the `pin setter table guide shoes 86, mentioned heretofore.

A balance spring 164 encircling shaft 158 (Figure 3) is provided to counterbalance the weight of the pin setter table T. One end of spring 164 is anchored to the frame ofthe machine; the other end is attached to a ange. 166 secured to shaft 158. Pin setter table T carries a cam wedge 168 (Figure 2) employed for the purpose of clos.- ing the pin setter table limit switch 298 when the table reaches its lowermost or pin engaging and lifting positlon.

Main cam shaft 28 mounts a cam 170 provided with cam. tracks on. both faces. The cam track on one side is tracked by a cam follower 172 on cam lever 174 which operates the ball lift or cradle L. The cam track on the other side is tracked by a cam follower 176 on cam lever 178 which operates the pit or pin lifting apron A. Apron A and ball lift L are of the same general construction and operation as disclosed in co-pending application Serial No. 425,318, led January l, 1942, by Gottfried I. Schmidt, now Patent 2,389,643, issued November 27, 1945. The front end of the pit apron A is elevated by means of a pair of cables 180 the ends of which aresecured to pulleys 182 mounted adjacent the ends of hori-A zontal shaft 184 which is oscillated by means of a gear 186.(Figure 1) actuated by a reciprocating gear rack 188, the free end of which is pivoted on cam lever 178, vThe rear end of the pit apron A is wound upon a cylindrical roller 190 mounted on a shaft 192. The latter is oscillated by means of a sprocket 194 and a chain 196 driven bya sprocket 198 mounted on the oscillating shaft 184. The ball cradle L is also raised and lowered by a pair of cables 200, each of which is secured to a pulley/,202, both of which are mounted on a horizontal shaft 204 oscillated by means of a gear 206 which is actuated by a reciprocating gear rack 208 connected to the free end of a cam lever 174.

Secured to main cam shaft 28 is a cam 210 having cam tracks 211, 213 provided on its opposite faces. The cam track 211 on one side is tracked by a cam follower 212 pivotally mounted on. cam lever 214 which is responsible for the movement of guard G at the proper time during the operation of the machine to and from the alley. The cam track 213 on the other side of cam 210 is engaged by a cam follower 216 on cam lever 218 which actuates the` sweep mechanism of the machine. The guard as well as the sweepv is of the same general construction as diesclosed in Rundell Patent No. 2,250,503, issued July 29,

of pin gripper carriages 61v while the otheris pivoted. to a short .shaft 230 also held by a` bearing bracket 228'.` Both brackets 22.4' are con-I nected to each other by atie bar 232 to which are fastened two cables ,233,- which in. turn areconnected to athird cable y,which runs overan idler or` guide pulley '235,

and is anchored to the freeend of cam lever 214. Guide pulley 235 is loosely mounted on a horizontal shaft 236 supportedby, suitable bearings secured to the frame of the machine.

Sweep F. (Figure 1) isinterconnected. with the guard" G and consists of a sweep board 237 which at each end is supported by a bracket 238 each of which' is pivoted to a stud projecting from one Aof a pair of: endless chains 239, the chainsbeing reciprocated by sprockets 240, 240e` mounted on` horizontal shaft 241supported by a` pair of suitable bearing brackets attached to arms 222. Both chains `239;run overidler sprockets 242 eachr pivotally mounted on a stud held by one end. of a link 243 while theother end-of eachlink is pivoted to a suitablesuppo-rtingbracket 244 securedl to the framek of the machine. Shaft 241 is` oscillated by means of a sprocket 246 (Figures 1, 2 and 3) mounted on shaft 226 to .which one of the sweep arm brackets 224 is pivoted (Figure` 2).. AY sprocket2l47 is secured to shaft 230 and through a chain 248 is driven by a sprocket 249 mounted on. the horizontal shaft 236. The latter carries a gear 250 the hub of which is provided with a solenoid actuated sweep control clutch K3 by means of which the gear 250fis engaged with or disengagedv from the shaft 236, thereby providing means of making the sweep inoperative whenr a pin or. pins Walk or move out of the vrange of vthede scending respotting cups 112 of the pin settertablefIT. Gear250 is oscillated by a gear rack 251 the free end of which is pivoted to the heretofore mentioned cam lever 218.

All cam levers 124, 152, 174, 178, 214 and 218 are loosely mounted on the cam lever supporting shaft 80.

To the main cam shaft 28 is also 4secured a sprocket 252 y which by means of a chain 253vdrives a sprocket 254 secured to the electrical control cam shaft 255 on which; all electrical control cams 428, 362, 406, 341, 334, 354, 344, 332, 414, and 415 are mounted. These cams, as well as their electrical contact fingers are enclosed in.. a housing H. (Figs. 2 and 3). Sprockets 252-and 254 driving the control cam shaft 255 are on a 1:2 ratio, i. e., for every two revolutions of the main cam shaft 28, the control cam shaft 255 makes only one revolution. Or in vother words, for every two balls, the control cam shaft 255 makes one revolution.

While the operation of the machine will be hereinafter described in more detail, the functions of the timing cams which are shown. in Figs. 4 and 5 can be summarized as follows: The cams operate two groups of contacts which are located apart. l

Cam 362 serves to bring the machine to a stop at the end of each ball cycle.

Cam 406 operates a circuit for the protection of the guard and the monoraildistributing frame N against abnormal positions of pins. The monorail distributing frame N descendsandpicks up 10 pins from the magazine M and delivers them into the spotting cups 1101 mounted on the spotting table, a completedescription of which will. be found in U. S. Patent 2,578,319, granted to G. J. Schmidt on December l1, 1951.

Cam 341 operates an air valvel which controls the suction in the spotting mechanism for new pins.

Cam 334 operates an air valve which controls the suction in the respotting, mechanism for standing. pins after the first ball is rolled.

Cam 354 operates a clutch for engagingrthecams which cause the monorailfdistributing frameN to move Wagens 7 dowrrand'lupjfor picking up ten new pins from the rriag'a'zine'iandfor turning the spotting table. y

'Carnf344 'operates the clutch which controls the loading' of ten new pins into the magazine.

' Cam 428 controls the lights which indicate to the players whether the machine is waiting for first or for second ball.

t lCam 332 controls the operation of a relay which energizes the strike circuit when the descending table finds no pins standing in the first ball cycle.

. Cam 414 controls the operation of the foul indicator.

Cam 41S controls the operation of the circuit responsive to the throwing of a gutter ball.

VThe electrical equipment which we embody in the machine'and which makes up the control is formed of commercial relays, switches, parts and accessories readily available to the trade. For ease and simplicity in design and -irnanufacture, the relays are contained in a relay box 8 mounted on a cross frame member (Fig. 2). The

wires which connect the relays and switches in the wiring ydiagram are enclosed in suitable conduits such as conduit 11 projecting from box 8.

` Operation- The operation of the machine can Ybest be appreciated by a reference to the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 4. The description covers the several possibilities resulting from throwing the allotted number of balls per frame.

At the start of playing all relays and solenoids are in released position; only the driving motor and vacuum pumpl are running and control power isapplied between wire 303 and ground. The lamps and clutch solenoids are supplied with power from separate sources.

First ball, one or more pins remain standing- The ball dropping into pit effects a closing of switch 300 connected vby wire 301 to a delayed closing relay 302. This type of relay preferably is provided in order to allow a few seconds, say three or four, before the ball and pin handling mechanisms begin operating. ln this way any pin movement on the alley or gutters has ceased; and all pins standing are at rest before the machine operation starts and table T moves down.

At the end of the delay period contact 304 closes, completing a circuit from line 303, through normally closed contact 348b, manually closed switch 305, wire 306 and normally closed contact 402a, energizing relay 308, thereby closing contact 308e which through wire 310 energizes solenoid 312 controlling the operation of clutch K1. Clutch Kl may be of the well known Bliss type. The energization of solenoid 312 causes armature 514 to swing lever S16 out of engagement with clutch actuating arm 518 whereupon gear 24 is coupled to shaft 22 and the machine operation is started.

Following the actuating of clutch K1, rotating of cam shaft 255 of the control mechanism causes normally open contact 36211 on cam 362 to close which shunts contacts 304 and 348b and holds in clutch K1 until the end of the cycle. Guard G is moved to operative position adjacent the alley. Ball cradle L removes the ball from the pit and delivers it to runways 6, 7 for return to the player. Pin transfer device N is operated by cams 74, 128 to deliver ten pins from magazine M to setters 110. Rotation of main cam shaft 28 causes table T to be loweredinto pin lifting position lfor lifting and resetting standing pins in on or off spot positions. Movement of-the table to this positionicauses first of all the closing of table limit switch 298, through the engagement of cam 168 (Fig. 2) with cam follower 297. This energizes relay 366, closing contacts'366a and 366:,` and opening contact 366b as long as the table is in lowered position. Continued downward movement of the table causes theheads of the standing pins to engage switch actuating members320 (see Fig. 7) whichare raised in respotting cups 112 so that contacts 321 engage Aswitch members 323and close one or more circuitsM322-324 inwhich are connected ten Vmulti-contact locking-in relays 326.

Eachu'of the relays e326 which is energized asaresult4 of `theepresence of a standing pin closes a relay hold-in circuitthrough contact'326b on relay 326 and contact 36211' on cam 362 and thereby maintains contacts 326a and326c`closed. Whenever a contact 326:1 is closed because of a standing pin it lights a signal lamp corre-k ing of cam contact 36261, and the light or lights as the caseY may be, are extinguished.

In order to insure that neither the strike nor spare signallamp shall be lighted inadvertently or at the wrong time when pins remain standing after the first or secondi' ball of a frame is thrown, there is provided'a circuit-l controlling relay 328 which is connected by wire '330 in` a circuit controlled by ten contacts 326e and a normally closed contact 412g so that whenever any of the relays 326Y are energized, closing of a contact 326C energizes relay 328V breaking normally closed contact 328a and interrupting circuit 330' to strike and spare cam contacts 332L and 332R operated by cam 332.

When table T is located in pin engaging and lifting position adjacent the alley, cam 334 on shaft 255 closes contact 334K, which closes circuit 336, thereby energizing solenoid 338 through a normally closed contact 4501; which opens valve 339 and creates suction in conduits lwhich are connected to the several respotter units 112 which grip any standing pins with which they come in contact. In the meantime continued rotation of shaft 255 causesstrike-spare cam 332 to close contact 332R, but since .contact 328a is open, a strike control impulse is prevented. The table T starts its upward movement lifting the pins gripped by units 112 and continued rotation of carn332 opens contact 332R.

While table T dwells above the alley, fallen pins or deadwood are swept therefrom by sweep 237. The pin transfer device N is operated to deliver ten pins from magazine M to the spotter cups 110, and substantially simultaneously therewith solenoid 340 is energized as the result of the rotation of cam 341 on shaft 255 which closescontact 341K.

As described hereinabove, pin carrying grippers 68 of the transfer device N are moved by cam 128 back and forth once each cycle of the machine. The up and down movement which locates grippers 68 in position to grip andremove pins from magazine M, and after horizontal movement to delivery position above table T, lower and deliver the pins to spotters 110, is controlled by cam 74 loose on shaft 28 and clutch K4, which is similar in construction and operation to clutch K1.

Clutch K4 is in engagement at the time the machine operationstarts shortly after the arrival of the first ball of a frameiin pit 5 and the desired up and down movement' of vgrippers 68 takes place to remove pins from magazine M and to place them in setter cups 110. In this regard it will be noted the cycle preceding a first ball is always either a second ball or a strike cycle. In either case solenoid 360 was energized during this preceding cycle4 by the closing of cam contact 354 (R or L) in Fig. 4 as shown by the cam diagram in Fig. 5. This allowed clutch K4 to engage and connect cam 74 to main cam shaft 28. This clutch is of the Bliss type and can` no t'be disengaged until it passes through the same position at which it was engaged. It will therefore still be in engagement at the start of the first ball cycle. As soon as .the grippers 68 have delivered pins to the spotter and have moved upwardly and clear thereof, clutch K4 is thrown out, as solenoid 360 is not energized, and further up andl down movement of frame N and grippers 68 carried thereby ceases until another set of pins is to be transferredy from y'magazine M to setter cups 110. Tablel T isnotfturnedin 'this cycle, as cam 74 remains stationary for the remainder of this cycle. "This is 'because during 9 this. cycle.A cam. 3.54 .does not close, contact 35,41ethusx prerventing energizati'on of relay 361 and maintaining the, disengagement of clutch` K4.

As described. hereinabove, sweepF is actuated cyclically: toclear the. alley.of fallen pins. Apron Aremoves any pinsin the pit and delivers them into chamber 3 for distrihutionzby pin elevator EA and conveyor. mechanism:

C, which in turn conveys the pins one by one,Y and inl succession..betweenspirals 38 .of magazine M where they are aligned. awaiting deliveryby transfer N to spotters 115)'.

Asa resultpof the removal ofpins4 and balls from the pit. 5;. pit. switclrSlllv op.ens,.and starting delay relay 302- isdeenergized,andreset. for the next.. ball. Theadjustment of switch 390 is ,such that. preferably if there are less.. than three pins inthe pit, the removal of the ball causes pit switch 300to open thus causing theI starting relay-302;to `be..deenergized andresetfor thenextball.

Removal. of a setLofpins fromzmagazine M by transfer. Nt allows..pin switch arms. 66.10 close contacts.3=l2. Rotation of. shaft.y 25.5 causes cam-.344. mounted .thereon to .close contact 34.4K and through contact 350d. and: a circuit 346 including contacts 342 connected inmultiple, relay 34,8 is,v energized to close contact. 348m, thereby enrgizi'ng; solenoid 35.2.which controls theactua-tion of clutch K2, which may be of the Bliss type, tostart the conveying mechanism for. transferring pins. fromy chamber 3- and delivering; them into magazine M betweenspirals 38. As each pin is located in proper: position-,in themagazine, it moves a switch arm; 66,Which opens lonel of the. contacts 342 in'. a-. multiple circuit. Whena predetermined number of pins, eleven in,.the embodiment illustrated, has beenfedintopthe magazine, all .contacts 342'are; opened, the circuit is-broliren,.clutch K2 is. thrown out,l and the conveying. or. magazine. loading mechanism,.includingconveyors C andE and means forrotating spirals 3?, is incapacitated. The magazine is then lled with pins awaiting the next removal of f a. sety of pins bytransfer N.

As-the machine operations. continue, the table. T moves downwardly topin resetting positionl and resets. pinsin the same position they occupied before being grippedand elevated. The table T carries a full'set of pinsin spotters-110. As soon as-the table T reaches pin resetting position, further rotation of cam 334- 011 shaft 2,55, opens contact; 334R` which deenergizes solenoid V338`ofl suction valve 339 lthereby closingy suction conduits 120;.and effecting the.. releasev ofpins. from. respotter; cups 112 andtheir'delivery in proper. on orv oif spotpositionon the alley;

At substantially thesame time, one ofthe-,high por= tions on camr341 on rotating .shaft 255Qn1oves'A out: of engagement. with contact 3411?. thereby breakingv the circuit through solenoiddl which closes valve 343Iand cuts off suction inspotters 116. The operation of the machine continues until table T- moves back to its normal rest position where it dwells above the alley awaiting the throwing of the next ball of the frame. A'S'cam 362 completes half a revelation (Figure 4), normally open .contact 362:1 returns to open position, thereby breakingthe circuit'through solenoid 312 whicheffects. a disengagement of clutch K1, the several signa-l lamp relays 326. and relay 328 are de-energizedand accordingly yall signal lamps are extinguished. Cam 344 opens. contact 344R, de-energizing relay 343. which breaks the circuit formed by contact 348g to. solenoid' 352. With the deenergization of solenoid 352, clutch K2is thrown out and further movement of the pin distributing conveyor mechanism is interrupted.

Second balli-.no spara-The. initial operation of the machine caused by the second ball-dropping into thepit is the same asdescribed above. The table is moved down to test for standing pinst In the condition of play assumed since, a pin. ofr 1 pins remain standing, selected 10 Signal lamps are. .1ighte.d.l y.1he.energized@ aftcorsrrrl: ing; signal lamp .relays 326 as.Y described' above;

@ne Ov 1110116.05 Piment@ lights' '1510 Sgligh-.fed .at thisti'me.; The spareelighthcannotrbe lightedbecausealthough rotation. of cam 332 causes contact332L to close," relay 328;.-is-Kenergizedandi since contact 32821 is yopen an `impulse. to spare k lamp relay 370. is prevented.

Since inftheztwolball. gamel discussed herein, the second ball. is. the. last allotted for a frame, resetter cups 112..remain. inoperative.. D'ueto the fact thatcontrol cam shaft 255 makes one-half. revolution for eachcomplete.. revolution of main cam shaft 28,contact ,3334K is open .when tabl'eTmoves down and .locates 'resetter cups 112.- in pin. gripping `position adjacent the alley. Therefore, at this time circuit 336 including SQIBIlQid 338 'is4 not4 closed, and. valve .339 remains closed; suction-is not cutv into respotternnits V112, table `T travels upwardly, after which Lany pins standingand any'fall'e'n pins are swept from thealley into the pit 5 byfsw'eep F. Contact `332L which lhad'been closed momentarily/,by

the high portion. of cam. 33'2".onrotating shaft'255 opens. I

vWhile theltable was being lowered' to thevalley and raisedagain, pin transfer grippers' 68moved horizontally thereabove under .the action lof: cam 128, as' described hereinabove. Grippers 63 are. not opera-tive` to v deliver `a set of pins tothe spotters ll'llbecause'clutch K4t disengaged cam'y 7`4 Vfrom cam, shaft' 28 during the previous; cycle, and also spotters ,1i10arealieadyfill'edwith' pins. The ballhas been ,returned` tofthe player as described' above, and the'lpinsin pit Shave' been removed therefrom'byapron A and dischargedi into chamber 3 for return to magazine .M' by 'conveyorshE and C. yPit switch' 3'll0retur'ns toopen position, as described above, awaitin'gth'efnext ball'of the game'whichisV the rst ball of the next frame.`

Continued 'rotationiot"I control"l cam shaft 255l results' in closing contact 31411? whichnenergizessolenoid 340l and'openssuotion valve 343^creating-suction in conduits: connecting spotter cups 1110:h In this manner arermlyr held in spottersv 110'l during subsequentrotartion of Itable Continued rotation of"cam433'4'\results in closing con-- tact` 3321-11,- and -the energization of vsolenoidA 338- 'which opens-suctionvalve 339;` Thispoperation creates suction inconduitsf`andcauses respotter cups 112to be'locked against-movementy orfshiftingon table T-while the latter isl turnedthrough in placing the set of pins held in spotter cu-ps. lilllon thefalley, andlwhilefthe table T is swung back to pin receiving position. Following the opening of1valve.339,-cam 354closes contact 354R, which-through contact-350e, wire 356,V and' normally closedtori-tact` 450C energizes relay 361 and closes contact 36111' therebyl actuating solenoid 360 allowing clutch K4 to reengagecam" *7d-with: cam shaft 28:.and turn table T through- 180 prior; tof. its secondi downward movement... Themechanism for. holding respotter cups 1-12 lby suctionagainstlateral movementon table'T when 'the-.latten is turning,.canbe, similar inconstruction and operationto that shownand described in. Rundell'Patent 2,383,017. Since this: specific mechanism formsJno part of the invention, further showing and description; are omitted. in the interest of brevity.

When table'T reaches pin .delivery position relative to the alley,l contact a41R-opens,f` andthe pins held `in spotters `110are`releasedand-placed in playing arrangement onthe.` alley. This is effected by a deenergization ofsolenoid 340.and;the resulting-closing of suctionvalve 3143.

After ten -pins have tbeen'placed inplaying arrangement on the alley, the machine operation continues unftl the end ofithecycle.. After the table reaches `its upper position, it turns. 180.V in reverse. direction.` Cam contact 362a, as shown in Figure' 4', opens, releasing'clutch-Kl the signallamp relays 326 .and relay 328; At the end of. the :cycle the' position ofcam 334 lallows contact 334R to open, .thereby deenergizingsolenoid-338 whichy closes valve-339l and releases the respotter units 112. Camcontact 344K, however, remains closed permitting the pin elevating conveyor to reload magazine M. When the required number of pins has been delivered, allswitches 342 are opened, releasing relay 348 and solenoid 352 thereby` causing the disengagement of clutch K2 and stopping conveyors E and C and rotation of spirals 38.

Second ball-spare.-The operation is generally the same as in the case of the second ball when plus remain standing with certain exceptions. In this case table T moves downwardly after the second ball is thrown, but since all pins have been knocked down, all signal lamps 1-10 remain extinguished. All contacts 326e remain open and relay 328 is not energized so that contact 328a remains closed.

Movement of table T to its down position results in the closing of contact 366e, as described above. Contact 332L is closed by cam 332 and through contact 3S0a, contact 3661.` of relay 366, and contact 368b of relay 368,`re1ay 370 is energized and contacts 370a and 370b are closed. When contact 370:1 is closed, spare light SP is lit and the player is apprised visibly of the results obtained by the second ball of a particular frame. Contact 370b is a lock-in contact for relay 370 so .that light SP remains lit until the end of the cycle.

Other operations of the machine are the same. A new set of pins is placed on the alley and further play is in order as for the first ball of the next frame.

Strike-ln this case all pins are knocked down by the rst ball of a frame, and a new set of ten pins is placed on the alley awaiting delivery of the rst ball of the next succeeding frame. The initial operations resulting from the rst or strike ball falling into pit 5 are the same as described above. In the sequence of operations table T moves downwardly cam 168 carried thereby closing limit switch 298 and energizing relay 366, and momentarily closing contact 366a. Since no pins are standing, lamp relays 326 are not energized. So also relay 328 is not operated.

Rotation of timing cam 332 causes contact 332K to close. Contact 328:1 being closed, current hows through wire 330', and relay 350 is energized through contacts 332K and 350b, wire 372, and contact 366e. Relay 350 is an alternating relay such as a ratchet relay or equivalent so that each time it is energized it causes a shifting of contacts 35M-f, inclusive and p and q back and forth between full line positions indicated diagrammatically in Figure 4 and dotted line positions.

Relay 350 may be of any suitable 'conventional type, such as seriesS-l25, manufactured by Guardian Electric Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Illinois. The relay selected for illustration is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4. It consists of a suitably mounted shaft 378 having xed thereto a six-sided cam 380 and a twelve tooth ratchet 382. A pawl 386 is pivotally mounted. on a lever 388 connected to armature 390 of relay 350. A spring 384 urges pawl 386 into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 382. Spring 392 returns lever 388 and armature 390 to the position shown in Figure 4 after each operation of relay 350.

Running on cam 380 is a cam follower 394 on one arm of bell crank lever 396; the other arm of which is pivoted to alink 398 pivotally connected to shiftable contacts 350a-f, p and q. It will be evident that foreach movement of ratchet 382, cam 380 is turned to engage follower 394 with either ahigh portion 395 or a low portion 397 of cam 380. Therefore, this operation results in a shifting and holding of contacts 3S0a-f, p and q, in shifted positions. f `i t The shifting of contact 35012 to dotted position'(Fig ure 4) interrupts 'the current through the coilof relay 350 fthereby releasing varmature 390 lalmost as soonx-as it was pulled up. fThe'moinentary closing of -contact 650g by-this movement: vof armature. 390.?energizesfrelays368, from: the :livei side;ofr'fthezpowerg'supply through .contacts 414a,'-contact 350g,'and Wire 376,the other side of coil 368 l.being connected to ground. Relay 368 locks in through its holding contact 368e and cam contact 362e till the end of the cycle, lighting strike lamp ST through con-tact 368a. The opening of contact 368b prevents energizing of spare lamp relay 370 which would otherwise lresult from the shifting of contact 350a to dotted position.

The shifting of contact 350e to dotted position prevents the opening of respotting suction valve 339 at this time.

The remainder of this cycle is the same as for any second ball. Contacts 350e to f, p and q, having shifted to dotted position all functions controlled by them are now also controlled by the closing of the left contacts 332L, 334L and 344L by the second ball halves of their respective cams. Clutch K4 remains engaged as relay 361 is energized through cam contact 354L and relay contact 350e. The table turns and ten new pins are set on the alley. At the end of this cycle the relay contacts 350d-f, p and `q remain in dotted line position and the operation of the next cycle will be as described above for a first ball, substituting 332L, 334L, 344L and 354L for 332R, etc.

The next time a strike is made, relay 350 is again energized, returning contacts 350d-f, p and q to full line position.

At the start of any rst ball cycle (also strike), the loading rack must be full as the pin transfer mechanism N will remove ten pins immediately after the start. Therefore, as long as relay 348 is energized, indicating that the 'loading is not completed, contact 348b is open and prevents the energzng of relay 308 even after the delayed closing relay 302 has closed contact 304.

At the start of the second ball cycle, there are already ten pins in the spotting cups. Cam contact 344 (R or L) being open, relay 348 is released, contact 348b is closed and the machine can start as soon as the delay period 1s up.

Ofic conter pins (full downward movement of the table T prevented) (first ball of a frame).-It is well known that pins have a tendency to walk or move as the result of being hit or moved by the ball or other pins when or after the ball travels over the alley. On quite infrequent occasions a pin may move so far with reference to its spotted position that it cannot be picked up and reset. When this condition occurs, table T in moving towards the alley comes into engagement with the handle end of such abnormally located pin or pins and its downward travel is arrested. In such case, switch 298 cannot close. Also relay 366 is not energized and hence contact 366a remains open and contact 36619 remains closed.

If this condition occurs on the rst ball of a frame, the closing of cam contact 332K or 332L by cam 332, results in energization of relay 400 which closes contact 400a and energizes solenoid 364 thereby throwing out clutch K3, normally continuously operating while the machine is in motion. Clutch K3 is of the same type as clutches K1, K2 and K4. In this manner sweep F is rendered inoperative and cannot sweep standing pins from beneath table T.

Energization of relay 400 also closes contact 400b and pulls in relay 402, which locks in through its holding contact 40211, and normally open cam contact 362e. Energization of relay 402 opens normally closed Contact 402a which results in the deenergization of solenoid 308 and disengagement of clutch K1, and a stopping of the machine. Even if the machine should overrun enough to lcause cam 332 to rotate an amount suicient to open contact 332K, relay 402 remains locked in.

Relay 350 cannot be energized because contact 366m is open. Hence, strike lamp relay 368 does not operate either; No score is shown.

While the machiney is stopped, all fallen pins can be removed manually and thrown in the pit.

Momentarily opening and'rreclosing manual control avea-,eso

13 switch 305 releases relay 402 and; energizes relay 308= controlling ther'nain or starting clutch' K1 ywhich restartsthe machine. As sweep F is disengaged, it is evident thatL standing pins arernot swept` from the'allty, 21ndl the machine completes its normal first-ball cycle. The sweep clutch throws in automatically atthe end ofthe cycle.

O center pins (second ball of frame).-On thesecond ball, cam contact 3321. or R closes underthe actuationof cam 332, the circuits being energized dependingon the` position of cam` portions 395 and 397 with respect to cam follower 394. Relay366 is not pulled in. and contact 366C in the spare light relay (370) circuit is openv so that lightV SPiis not lighted. The remainder of the cycle is the same as for a normal second ball when standing pinsremain on the alley. Since on a second ball, as previously described, the circuit-throughvcam.contacts 332L and R, andU relay .contacts 350a and 350b, is such that power is yapplied through contact 350a. to contact 366e, and not through contact-V 35.0b. to contacts. 366a and 366b, there is no possibility of relay 400,beingenergized.eventhough contact 366b is` closed. That is, sweep-F operates, and removesl both standingand fallen pins. The tableT. sets a new set of pins, the ball isrreturned to.l the playing posi tion, and eleven pins are conveyedtomagazine M for delivery to the Setters 110.

Switch 298 is preferably/.located so; that` for anormal cycle of operati onrelay 366 isenergizedduringtheentire time that camwcontact 332k or 33,2L isclosed.

Spotter safety mechanism-It mayhappen that because of long use the handle 4ends offpinsbecomeworn, cracked or split so that such pins can be handled only-with some difficulty. This may result in pins being improperly ,transferred to or held inthelzspotters 110.I Under such4 conditions insuicentpris.. may be. transferred t Setters: 1.1.0. or possibly suchpins4 might be moved` by transfergrippers 68 towards magazine M, or` even droptfrom spotters 110 when the table yis delivering a set ofl pins to the alley. Damage or jamming of the machine might` result. The present spotter safety mechanismis designed toprevent any of the above possibilities from happeningandto insure that the required number of pins, usually ten, will always be set onvthe alley. y

Each of the spotters 110xisprovidedzwithatnormally closed swit-ch 118, the contacts 119 .tof these switches being connected in multiple between Contact 341Land rel-ay 402. Therefore, if each spotter 110 islled with yapin, the multiple circuitis broken and relay 402 is not enerf gizted. lf on theother hand a single switch` remains closed, as Where insucientpinsare transferredto spotters 110 or where a pin drops duringturning of table', T, relay 402 is energized and locked in throughcontact 402b, contact 402:: is broken and relay 308 throws out thereby effecting a disengagement of clutch K1 and themachine stops. After correcting the cause of the failure, themachine is restarted by momentarily opening andthen closing manual control switch 305.

It should be noted that both contacts 341lL and 341R are closed -at the same time by symmetrical cam 341. This means that contact 341L is closed Vwhen spotting suction valve 343 is open which for proper operation requires ten pins in the spotters 110.

Guard safety-It may happen that a fallenpin may lie in such a position on the alley as to prevent guard G and sweep F from moving downward their full stroke adjacent the alley after a ball is thrown. In such case, limit switch 404 which is normally open when the guard and sweep are down, remains closed. Cam contact 406a is` closed by cam 406 and a circuit is made throughV switch 404 which pulls in relay 402 which is locked in by its own contact 402b, relay 308 is thrown'out, clutch Klis disengaged because of the deenergization of solenoid 3.12 and the machine stops. The .pin or pins which prevented full movement of the guard and sweep to down positionis or are removed by hand. Themachine is restarted by opening and closingswitch 305as described above.

Inchz'ng orjoggingY mechanism.--Manuallycontrolled switch 305 mounted at any convenient position on the machine or at any other suitable position may be used to inch. or jog the machine. Opening and closing switch 305: controls the operation of relay 30S, solenoid 312 and clutch K1 for stopping or starting the machine. As mentioned hereinabove, opening of two pole switch 305 also interrupts the holding circuit of relay 402 and therefore acts as a reset switch if the machine stopsfor any of the reasons stated above. This two pole switch also is connected in series with the control for clutchV K2. As a consequence whenever switch 305 is opened the pin loading mechanism is stopped.

Foul controls-According to the American Bowling Congress, certain rules of play govern when and if-a foul is rolled. lf a foul is made on the rst ball, a new set of pinsmust be placed on the alley, and no score is.counted. It a foul occurs on the second ball of a two ball frame, the machine runs throughits normal cycle, but noscore for that ball is counted.

'A foul is indicated in any suitable manner, either automatically by an automatic foul detector which controls thefurther operation ofthe machine, or by a manually operated indicator andv control. lnFigure 4 there is illustrated a suitable electrically controlled fully automatic foul indicator and machine control mechanism. This mechanismincludes a suitable automatic foul indicator control 408, such as a, photoelectric cell operated device locatedadjacent the head of an alley so that any unauthorized movement of aplayer beyond the foul line results in the operation of the control. When a foul, therefore, is made a relay 409 is pulled in, momentarily closing a contact 410 which makes a circuit through normally closedcam contact 3621) to relay 412 which is locked .in-.by contact 412k and cam contact 414:1. Contact 412a on being closed by-passes delayed-closing contact 304 as soon as pit switch300 closes because the number of pins standing is of no consequence as ten pins must bereset before the next ball, in this case the secondball, is played. Normally closed contact 412d opens the light powerA circuit'to all pin lamps as well as the strike and spare lamps on the score board, so that none of these lamps can light. The foul lamp circuit is closed by contacty 412,1, and this lamp F1l is lighted by a wire connecting the contact 412]c with the lamp F1. The opening of ycontact 412g prevents relay 328 from being energized.

Since a first ball foul is being described, the fact that contact 328:1 remains closed resultsin an impulse to relay 350,1. so that in eifect the control operates as a strike cycle minus the lighting of strike lamp ST. As previously described, in a strike cycle, when all ten relay contacts 326C remain open, relay 328 is not energized, contact 328er remains closed, and relay 350 is energized when cam contact 332K (or 332L as the case may be) closes. In this case, the same result is accomplished by the fact that relay contact 412g being open prevents the operation of relay 328.

The respotting suction valve 339 operates as in any strike cycle, that is,.it does not open until later and any standing or fallenpins are left on the alley, and swept therefrom by sweep F in usual manner. Contact 412C connects relay 416 across the coilof relay 350 and hence relay 416 is energized along, with relay 350 and locks in through its own Contact 416g and normally closed contact 418C. Continued rotation of cam .414 opens contact 41411 releasing relay. 412which in turn releases step relay 350, relay 416 remains locked in at the end of the cycle and relay 418 is pulled in through normally closed cam contact 36212 andl contact 416C and locksin through its own contact 418a.

Closing of contact 4181; energizes relay 350 through contact 416b. Relay 416-is released `when both contacts 418cand 350k` are opened. The opening of contact v416b releases relay` 350whichhas beenpperated twice during this. cycle thereby bringing the machine control to second ball position.

In the second ball position, the only difference from normal operation is that the clutch K4 controlling the operation of cam 74 is engaged because the preceding cycle operated as a strike cycle. Since a set of pins was removed from the magazine, it must be reloaded before this second ball cycle is allowed to start. Relay 418 remains locked in and contact 418d holds in the loading clutch K2 until the loading of magazine M is completed.

At the beginning of the second cycle, cam 362 opens contact 362b thereby releasing relay 418.

In case a first ball foul should coincide with a pin far off-center, it is necessary to by-pass the off-center protection in order to insure the removal of the pins. This is done by shunting contact 412e across the table limit switch 298 causing relay 366 to be energized in spite of the olf-center pin.

Foul (second ball) .--lt will be noted that foul lamp FL is lighted so long as relay 412 is energized and contact 412i is closed. In case of a foul on the second ball, relay 412 is energized which effects a lighting of lamp FL. The delay relay 302 is energized and none of the other signal lamps are turned on. Relays 416 and 418 are inoperative because step relay 350 is inactive. The cycle in this case continues as for any normal second ball.

Played balls sgnal.-In order to apprise a player of the number of balls tobe played, there are provided signal lights 424 (first ball), and 426 (second ball), respectively, which are lighted in proper sequence. When the machine is at rest before the first ball of a frame is rolled, first ball light 424 is lighted through closed contact 428:1, contact 350f, and closed contact 36211. As soonas the machine starts, cam 362 opens contact 362b thereby breaking the circuit and the lamp 424 is extinguished.

Between the first and second ball cycles, second ball light 426 goes on through contact 428b which has been closed by the 180 turn of cam 428. After a strike, the first ball light is lighted again through contact 428C which is now closed, closed contact 362b, and contact 350i which due to the operation of step relay 350 has shiftedto the other side.

In some cases no pins are knocked down by the first or second ball. In such a case there is no need to pick up the standing pins or to put the machine through a sweeping operation since there are not any fallen pins and all pins can be left standing on the alley. Similarly 1f on a first ball the 7th or 10th pin is knocked down it usually falls into the pit or falls where it is not likely to interfere with the throwing of a second ball and there 1s no need for lifting the remaining pins to sweep the 7th or 10th pin into the pit prior to the throwing of a second ball.

Gutter balls-If pins 1 to 6 and pins 8 and 9 are left standing after the first ball is rolled a relay 450 will be energized from 40 to 340 of the first ball cycle through the eight series connected normally open contacts 326d on the corresponding relays 326, and through normally closed contact 412k, and through contact 350g on ratchet relay 350 and the right hand contact 415K on cam 415.

If all pins including #7 and #10 are left standing after the second ball of a frame, gutter ball relay 450 will be energized through the normally open contacts 326d on all ten pin lamp relays 326 through contact 350g on ratchet relay 350 and the left hand contact 415L on cam 415.

In case of a strike, contacts 35017 and 350q switch to the left position and the functions of contacts 415K and 415L are interchanged in the same manner as described for contacts 350e, 35017, 332R` and 332L.

Whenever gutter ball relay 450 is energized sweep clinch relay 400 will be energized throughV the closing of normally open contact 450a which connects the Vcoil 16 of `sweep clutch relay 400 directly across the control power lines. This declutches the sweep both on first and on second ball in the same way as for an off-center pingon the first ball.

When gutter ball relay 450 is energized, the opening of normallyclosed contact 450b in series with the respotting suction valve solenoid 338 prevents the pins from being picked up on first ball. On second ball they are never picked up because cam operated switch 334L does not close until later in the second ball cycle. Also the opening of normally closed contact 450C, which is in series with the table turning relay 361, prevents the reengagement of the solenoid actuated table control clutch on second ball, thereby preventing the table from turning and also preventing the grippers 68 from picking up pins from the spirals 38 during the first part of the next cycle.

At 340 in either the rst or second ball cycle, cam contact 415K (or 415L) opens, releasing gutter ball relay 450. Thus the respotting suction is held ofi during the .second down-up movement of the table, thereby preventing locking-down of the cones, which might otherwise interfere with the second descent. In a normal second ball cycle the respotting suction must be on during the time the table is turned, to lock the cones and keep them from shifting and rattling around.

In the case of a pin too far off-center on first ball, the pins are left standing and the sweep is cut-out automatically whether it was a gutter ball or not. In the same case on second ball they will be swept off and ten new pins'set-up (as should be) irrespective of a gutter b all or Vnormal ball.

In order to Vaccomplish the same objectives, that is the elimination of the' lifting of pins and the sweep-action onfirst ball, or the sweep action and the setting of ten new pins on Second ball, in case a foul is committed at the same time that a gutter ball is rolled, the following modifications wereV made in the control circuit as cornpared with vthat shown in U. S. Patent 2,559,274. Instead of preventing the operation of all pin lamp relays by inserting a normally closed contact 412.11' in series with their common lead, we now prevent only the lighting of the lamps by inserting this contact in series with the common lamp lead (except for the foul lamp). The circuit to the coil'of relay 328 is broken by the normally closed contact 412g. This must be done in order to keep contact 328a closed and cause a strike cycle on a regular first ball foul which is not a gutter ball. The sequence of operations in case of a combined gutter ball and foul will now be described.

A VGutter ball-foul c0mbimzti0ns.-In the case where the first ball is both a gutter ball and a foul the sequence of operations is the same as for a normal first ball foul, except that the gutter ball relay 450 is energized through all ten pin lamp relay contacts 326d through normally open relay contact 412k, through ratchet relay contact 350i] and cam Contact 415k. Consequently the sweep lis disengaged as well as the table control clutch.

`In case the second ball in a frame follows a first ball which" was either a gutter ball or a iirst ball foul, or both, and the second hall is both a gutter ball and a foul, the sequence of operations is the same as for a normal second ball foul, except that gutter ball relay 450 is energized `through all 10 pin lamp relay contacts 326d. Consequently the sweep is disengaged and the table prevented from turning.

It should benoted that due to the contacts 412k and 412k, all 10 normally open pin lamp relay contacts 326d are in series with gutter ball relay 450 on both first and second ball in case of a foul. Thus, if pin 7 or 10 is knocked down in either case, gutter ball relay 450v cannot pull in and l0 new pins are set on the bowling alley. 1

The invention above described may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for the particular device selected to illustrate the invention isfbu't'v one of many possible embodiments of the same. 'The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted to thepreeise details of the structure shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for performing the duties of a pin boy on a bowling alley comprising means for placing a new set of pins on a bowling alley, apparatus for removingl fallen pins from the bowling alley, a detector having a control circuit comprising ten normally open switches connected in series and each adapted to be actuated'by a separate standing pin, and a second control circuit adapted to bypass the switches actuated by pins 7 and l on lst ball only, an electrical sequence control circuit for moving said means, apparatus and detector through one sequence of operations after a iirst ball is thrown and through another sequence of operations after a second ball is thrown, a device for interrupting that portion of the circuit which operates said apparatus, and connections between the control circuits of said detector and said electrical sequence control circuit for automatically actuating said device each time the switches in said iirst and second control circuits permit current to flow therethrough.

2. In a bowling pin setting machine having components comprising a movable table, pin gripper units and pinsetting units mounted on said table, a drive for moving said table towards and away from a bowling alley,` actuating mechanism for operating said pin gripper units to grip and release pins and said pin setting units to position new sets of pins on the bowling alley, a pin re mover for removing bowling pins from the bowling alley in proper timed sequence with the movement of said table, a control circuit comprising ten switches connected in series and each adapted to be actuated by a separate standing pin, and a second control circuit adapted to bypass the switches actuated by pins 7 and 10 on 1st ball only, a machine control for moving the components of said bowling pin setting machine through a predetermined sequence of operations after the irst ball of a yframe is thrown and through another predeterminedsequence of operations after the second ball of a frame is thrown, and a device actuated by said control circuits to incapacitate the pin remover after either a rst or a second ball of a frame has been thrown, and to incapacitate the pin grippers after a `trst ball of a frame has been thrown, each time the switches in said control circuits are actuated.

3. A bowling pin handling machine comprising a table, a pin setter connected to said table for spotting a new set of bowling pins in playing arrangement on a bowling alley, a respottler for gripping, elevating,V and replacing standing pinson the bowling alley, a detector having a rst control circuit comprising ten switchesiconnected in series and each adapted to be operated individually due to actuation Vby standing pins, and a second control circuit adapted-to bypass the switches actuated by pins l7 and'I'O on -iirstball only, a pin remover for removing bowling in series and each adapted to be actuated by a standing pin', means adapted to bypass some of said switches on rst ball only, a foul detector, disabling means actuated by said foul detector for rendering said bypass means inoperative'whenever a foul is made, a control for moving the components of said bowling pin handling machine through a sequence of operations after a iirst ball of a frame is thrown and through another sequence of operations after the second ball of a frame is thro-wn, means for incapacitating said sweep and pin gripping and pin setting units, and connections between said pin sensing device,` said foul detector, and said control for automaticall-y actuating said incapacitating means whenever the switches in said control circuit are actuated indicating the-pins do not have to be replaced after a iirst or second ball and each time said by-passing means and the switches in said tirst control circuit are actuated after a lirst ball indicating fallen pins do not have to be swept from the bowling alley.

5. A machine for positioning bowling pins on and removing bowling pins from a bowling alley comprising a device for positioning a new set of bowling pins in playing arrangement on a bowling alley, sweep apparatus for removing fallen pins and standing pins from a bowling f alley, a detector device having a control circuit comprising ten switches connected in series and each adapted to be actuated by a separate standing pin for detecting whether all pins remain standing .on the bowling alley after a bowling ballhas been thrown, a second control circuit adapted to bypass the switches actuated by the 7 and 10 pins, a drive responsive to activation by a bowling ball for moving said detector and sweep apparatus through-their respective cycles after a rst bowling ball has been thrown and after a second bowling ball has been thrown, means for interrupting the operation of said sweep apparatus, means for connecting said flirstV and y second vcontrol circuits to said sweep interruptnig means pins fromthe bowling alley, a drive for moving saiddetector, pinsetter, pin respotter and pin removeri-ntoand out of operating position, and a device operated through the control circuits of said detector to incapacitate said pin remover after the rst and second ball and said respotter after the lirst ball whenever the switches in said rst control circuit are actuated by standing bowling pins.

4. In a bowling pin handling machine a table movable towards and away from a bowling alley, pin gripping units and pin setting units mounted on said table, a drive for moving said table towards and away from the bowling alley, actuating mechanism for operating said pin grippers and pin setting units in proper timed relationship with the movement of said table, a sweep for removing bowling pins from the bowling alley when the table is in elevated position, a pin sensing device comprising a control circuit having ten switches connected airter a bowling ball has been thrown to in'capacitate said sweep whenever one or the other of said rst or second control circuits is operative after a bowling ball has been thrown, and means for rendering said second control circuit inoperative each time a second ball is thrown.

6. In a bowling pin handling machine a table movable towards and away from a bowling alley, pin gripping and pin setting units mounted on said table, a sweep for removing bowling pins from a bowling alley, a pin sensing device having ten normally open switches connected in series each being adapted to be actuated by a standing bowling pin, a source of electrical energy for energizing said pin sensing device, a cam controlled mechanism for moving said sweep and said pin gripping and pin setting units through one cycle of operations after a rst ball is thrown andthrough another cycle of operations after a second ball has been thrown, incapacitating mechanism for incapacitating said sweep and said pin gripping and pin vsetting units, a cam operated switch for connecting said incapacitating mechanism in series witheight of said normally open switches of said pin sensing device to lincapacitate said sweep and' pin gripping and pin setting units when electrical energy lows'from said source indicating that'fall- 'of said eight pins remain standing after a first ball has been thrown, and a second cam operated switch for connecting said incapacitating device with said ten normally open switches of said pin sensing device after a second bowling ball has been thrown to actuate said incapacitating mechanism to incapacitate said sweep and said pin gripping and pin setting units when electrical energy tlows from said source indicating that all ten pins remain standing.

7. In a bowling pin handling machine a table movalble towards and away from a bowling alley, pin gripping unlilts and pin setting units mounted on said table, a drive for moving said table towards and away from the bowling alley, actuating mechanism for operating said pin grippers and pin setting units in proper timed relationship with :the movement of said table, a sweep for removing bowling pins from the bowling alley when the table is in elevated position, a pin sensing device comprising a control circuit having ten normally open switches connected in series and each adapted to be actuated by a standing pin, a second contr-ol circuit adapted to bypass the switches actuated by pins 7 and 10 on first ball only, a foul detector, a circuit breaker in said second control circuit adapted to be opened by said foul detector whenever a foul is made, a control for moving the components of said bowling pin handling machine through a sequence of operations after the iirst ball of a frame is thrown and through another sequence of operations after the second ball of a frame is thrown, means for incapacitating said sweep and pin gripping and pin setting units, and connections between said pin sensing device, sai-d foul detector, and said control for automatically actuating said means each time current ows through the pin sensing device indicating the pins do not have to be replaced ater a iirst or second ball and each time after a rst ball when current can flow through said rst and second control circuits.

8. In a bowling pin handling machine a table movable towards and away from a bowling alley, pin gripping and pin setting uni-ts mounted on said table, a sweep for removing bowling pins from a bowling alley, a pin sensing device having ten normally open switches connected in series each being adapted to be actuated by a standing bowling pin, a source of electrical energy for energizing said pin sensing device, a cam controlled mechanism for moving said sweep and said pin gripping and pin setting units through one cycle of operations after a first ball is thrown and through another cycle of operations after a second ball is thrown, incapacitating mechanism vfor incapacitating said sweep and said pin gripping and pin setting units, a cam operated switch for connecting said incapacitating mechanism in series with either of said normally open switches of said pin sensing device to activate said incapacitating mechanism to incapacitate said sweep and pin gripping and pin setting units when electrical energy ows from said source indicating that all of said eight pins remain standing after a first ball has been thrown, a foul detector, and means actuated by said foul detector for connecting said cam operated switch in series with said ten normally open switches of said pin sensing device to actuate said incapacitating mechanism to incapacitate said sweep and said pin gripping and pin setting units when electrical energy flows from said source indicating that all of said ten pins remain standing after a foul is made following the throwing of a bowling ball.

9. In a pin handling machine constructed and arranged to position a new set of ten pins in triangular playing arrangement on a bowling alley in such a way that the seventh and tenth pins occupy the corner positions of the triangular arrangement which are mos't distant from the player, a movable carrier, pin setting and resetting mechanism connected to said carrier for positioning a new set of bowling pins on a bowling alley and for gripping, lifting and resetting standing bowling pins on the bowling alley after the rst ball in a frame has been thrown, a pin remover for removing bowling pins from the bowling alley, pin detecting mechanism having a control circuit comprising ten switches connected in series and each adapted to be actuated by a separate standing pin, a second control circuit adapted to bypass the switches actuated by pins 7 and 10, a foul detector, and means in said second control circuit adapted to be actuated by said foul detector for rendering said second control circuilt inoperative, whenever a foul is made, a control for causing the components of said bowling pin handling machine to move through one sequence of operations when the first ball of a frame is thrown and through another sequence of operations when the second ball of a frame is thrown, and incapacitating mechanism responsive to said pin detecting means to incapacitate said p'm setting and resetting mechanism and said pin remover in the sequence of operations whenever the first and second control circuits of said pin detecting mechanism are actuated indicating thalt all pins other than the 7th and 10th pins remain standing after the rst ball of a frame is thrown, which ball is not a foul, or whenever all pins including 7 and 10 remain standing ater a iinst ball foul when the switches in said irst control circuit are actuated.

10. In an automatic bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley provided with a pin suppouting playing bed, mechanism for removing pins from said alley after a ball of a frame is thrown, means for returning the ball to the player, means for placing a complete set of pins on said bed, a detector having a control circuit comprising ten switches connected in series and each adapted to be actuated by a separa-te standing pin, a second control circuit adapted to bypass the switches actuated by pins 7 and 10, a foul detector, and one or more switches in said second control circuit adapted to be actuated by said foul detector whenever a foul is made, electromagnetically operated mechanism responsive to said detector for controlling the operation of said pin removing mechanism, said ball return means and said pin placing means ater a bowling ball has been rolled, said electromagnetic control mechanism including a timing cam shaft, a plurality of timing cams mounted on said shaft, means for rotating said shaft after each ball is thrown, an electric circuit operatively associ-ated with said control mechanism, cam operated contacts in said circuit for effecting the operation of said pin removing mechanism, said ball return means and said pin placing means, and incapacitating mechanism responsive to the actuation of said detector control circuit for incapacitating said pin removing mechanism and said pin placing means each time said detector detects that a full set of pins or a set consisting of pins l-6, 8, and 9 afiter the first ball remain standing after a bowling ball has been thrown.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,298,718 Nejedly Oct. 13, 1942 2,383,017 Rundell Aug. 2l, 1945 2,514,457 Schmidt July l1, 1950 2,525,766 Broekhuysen Oct. 17, 1950 2,559,274 Broekhuysen July 3, 1951 2,697,605 Montooth Dec. 21, 1954 

